Archean greenstone-tonalite duality: Thermochemical mantle convection models or plate tectonics in the early Earth global dynamics?

Mantle convection and plate tectonics are one system, because oceanic plates are cold upper thermal boundary layers of the convection cells. As a corollary, Phanerozoic-style of plate tectonics or more likely a different version of it (i.e. a larger number of slowly moving plates, or similar number of faster plates) is expected to have operated in the hotter, vigorously convecting early Earth. Despite the recent advances in understanding the origin of Archean greenstone–granitoid terranes, the question regarding the operation of plate tectonics in the early Earth remains still controversial. Numerical model outputs for the Archean Earth range from predominantly shallow to flat subduction between 4.0 and 2.5 Ga and well-established steep subduction since 2.5 Ga [Abbott, D., Drury, R., Smith, W.H.F., 1994. Flat to steep transition in subduction style. Geology 22, 937–940], to no plate tectonics but rather foundering of 1000 km sectors of basaltic crust, then “resurfaced” by upper asthenospheric mantle basaltic melts that generate the observed duality of basalts and tonalities [van Thienen, P., van den Berg, A.P., Vlaar, N.J., 2004a. Production and recycling of oceanic crust in the early earth. Tectonophysics 386, 41–65; van Thienen, P., Van den Berg, A.P., Vlaar, N.J., 2004b. On the formation of continental silicic melts in thermochemical mantle convection models: implications for early Earth. Tectonophysics 394, 111–124]. These model outputs can be tested against the geological record. Greenstone belt volcanics are composites of komatiite–basalt plateau sequences erupted from deep mantle plumes and bimodal basalt–dacite sequences having the geochemical signatures of convergent margins; i.e. horizontally imbricated plateau and island arc crust. Greenstone belts from 3.8 to 2.5 Ga include volcanic types reported from Cenozoic convergent margins including: boninites; arc picrites; and the association of adakites–Mg andesites- and Nb-enriched basalts.Archean cratons were intruded by voluminous norites from the Neoarchean through Proterozoic; norites are accounted for by melting of subduction metasomatized Archean continental lithospheric mantle (CLM). Deep CLM defines Archean cratons; it extends to  350 km, includes the diamond facies, and xenoliths signify a composition of the buoyant, refractory, residue of plume melting, a natural consequence of imbricated plateau-arc crust. Voluminous tonalites of Archean greenstone–granitoid terranes show a secular trend of increasing Mg#, Cr, Ni consistent with slab melts hybridizing with thicker mantle wedge as subduction angle steepens. Strike-slip faults of 1000 km scale; diachronous accretion of distinct tectonostratigraphic terranes; and broad Cordilleran-type orogens featuring multiple sutures, and oceanward migration of arcs, in the Archean Superior and Yilgarn cratons, are in common with the Altaid and Phanerozoic Cordilleran orogens. There is increasing geological evidence of the supercontinent cycle operating back to  2.7 Ga: Kenorland or Ur  2.7–2.4 Ga; Columbia  1.6–1.4 Ga; Rodinia  1100–750 Ma; and Pangea  230 Ma. High-resolution seismic reflection profiling of Archean terranes reveals a prevalence of low angle structures, and evidence for paleo-subduction zones. Collectively, the geological–geochemical–seismic records endorse the operation of plate tectonics since the early Archean.     

基于ITRF2005框架的南美板块运动及形变分析

本文通过利用ITRF2005框架速度场以及IGS参考站近两年观测数据解算所得速度场对南美板块的运动及形变特征进行分析。结果表明,南美板块整体以约12.4mm/a的速率向北西方向运动,其欧拉矢量参数与NNR-NULVEL1A模型基本一致。形变特征表现为中南部区域西缘因纳兹卡板块俯冲向东凹陷,东侧受大西洋中脊海底扩张推力向西运动,东西向的挤压使其约以22mm/a的速度收缩并阻碍其北向运动。板块南端则受南极洲板块挤压向北西运动。     

华南地区汛期极端降水的概率分布特征

利用1960-2005年华南地区71个测站的逐日降水量资料和NCEP/NCAR南半球月平均海平面气压场再分析资料,采用Le Page榆验、广义极值分布等统计诊断方法,研究了华南地区近46 a前汛期(4-6月)和后汛期(7-9月)极端降水的时空变化及概率分布特征.并讨论了南半球澳大利亚高压和马斯克林高压强度指数与华南汛期暴雨日数间年代际变化的关系.结果表明:(1)1992年华南地区降水发生了由减少趋势到增多趋势的突变,降水趋势发生突变后前汛期极端降水量和日极端降水强度有所下降,而后汛期则是显著增强.(2)华南汛期年平均日最大降水量、50 a一遇日最大降水量极值和暴雨日数的空间分布特征相似,即前汛期的空间分布自南向北呈现"低-高-低"的分布趋势,后汛期呈现由沿海到内陆的"高-低"的分布趋势.(3)1992年发生突变后,前、后汛期年平均日最大降水量和年平均暴雨日数显著增加和减少的空间分布基本一致.(4)就年代际变化而言,南半球澳大利亚高压和马斯克林高压的强度变化是华南汛期降水异常的重要气候背景,即当两高压处在同时增强时期时,华南前汛期极端降水处于偏少阶段,后汛期则处于偏多阶段.     

Evolution of east coast of India — A plate tectonic reconstruction

The evolution of east coast of India sis discussed within the ambit of clearly identifiable four major tectonic stages which had a profound effect in shaping the tectonic grain of the east coast basins. The evolutionary process began with rift related crustal extension between India and Sri Lanka as a consequence of Africa-Antarctica rifting and development of Natal Basin. An arm of this rift led to initial extension in the Cauvery Basin and failed. Later, the India-West Australia rift propagated further in southwesterly direction initiating Mahanadi and Krishna-Godavari Basins. This extension was an oblique one with Nayudupeta high acting as pivot. The oblique extension followed by asymmetric seafloor spreading developed transpression along India-Sri Lanka and Antarctica junction, resulting in a NNW-SSE trending transcurrent fault along which Antarctica moved southward. Subsequently, entire east coast evolved through a more or less uniform post rift stage.     

Principal faults in the Shatsky Rise and their influence upon the evolution of the geological structure in the East Black Sea Region

A fault was traced along the southwestern margin of the Shatsky Rise. It extends to land where it crosses the Mountainous Crimea. Interpretation and analysis of marine seismic and magnetic survey data, as well as geological data on land, allow stating that the fault originated during the rift evolution stage of the East Black Sea Basin. Currently, the fault is in the sea and is a channel for migrating hydrocarbon fluids. Another fault was traced from the West Caucasus into the sea, where it separates the Shatsky Rise into two structural units.     

四川后高坪地区晚泥盆世植物和遗迹化石的新发现

在扬子板块西缘后高坪地区新发现植物化石Cyclostigma kiltorkense(平圆印木)和Lepidodendropsis hirmeri(希氏拟鳞木),以及遗迹化石Zoophycos(动藻迹)和Chondrties(丛藻迹),据此及相关地层和沉积相标志,确定该地层时代为晚泥盆世,沉积环境为由早期为滨岸较粗碎屑岩和浅海中上部细碎屑岩沉积,晚期为碳酸盐台地相。     

西藏班公湖-怒江板块结合带岩金遥感找矿模式

西藏班公湖-怒江板块结合带地质构造复杂,成矿条件优越,具备形成金矿的地质背景条件,是西藏最具潜力和规模巨大的贵金属成矿带.但由于该区地质工作程度较低和对成矿规律认识不清,至今没有一个可供开发的岩金矿产地.通过班公湖-怒江板块结合带砂金、岩金矿(化)点,地球化学异常和重砂异常的分布并进行控矿因子分析,建立了该带两种岩金遥感找矿模式,通过验证发现该区具有大型远景规模的岩金矿产地,并认为蚀变岩型金矿和穆龙套型金矿是该带最重要的两种矿床类型,具有巨大的找矿潜力.     

Geoheritage in New South Wales — a reassessment of sites from the register of the national estate

The geology of New South Wales is diverse, spanning Paleoproterozoic to modern materials and their various associated landforms and soils. In recognition of the intrinsic geological value of the State, around 150 geological sites were nominated to the now defunct Register of the National Estate, with the objective of geoconservation. However, these sites did not encompass the full range of geology of New South Wales; neither did they offer registered sites any protection. Analysis shows that the types of sites nominated were biased towards sedimentary and igneous rocks, and fossils, with under representation of metamorphic rocks, site-restricted soils, geomorphology and hydrogeology. To test the utility of the Brocx and Semeniuk ‘Geoheritage Toolkit’, a subset of the Register listings was re-examined, focusing on the Sydney Basin. Within the Sydney Basin, 59 nominated sites were reassessed using various geoheritage categories and the hierarchical framework of scale of the Toolkit. Four sites within the Sydney Basin were found to have features of international to national significance, and to have national historical value. These sites will need to be renominated for State and National listing. Clearly, to ensure that University teaching sites, as well as stratigraphic and lithologic type sections and reference sites, reflecting the geodiversity of New South Wales are conserved for future generations, a greater number of sites need to be put forward for heritage listing.     

华南陆区板块活动与构造体系的形成演化——纪念李四光先生诞辰130周年

本文通过华南陆区中新元古代以来板块活动与构造体系的"一体化"融合研究,从构造体系形变特征、形成演化历史、形成机制等方面分析了其与板块活动的成生联系。构建了区内以扬子反S型构造体系、新华夏构造体系、南岭纬向带为主体的多体系复合构造格局。其中,新厘定的扬子反S型构造体系为扬子板块的主体构造,原属于华夏系,奠基于晋宁期扬子、华夏板块的陆陆碰撞,定型于燕山陆内活化造山时期。新华夏构造体系为滨西太平洋的主体构造,包括具有成生联系的北东向华夏式和北北东向新华夏式两种型式,共同经历了燕山期挤压扭动成型、造山后伸展和第四纪以来的弱挤压的演变过程。著名的南岭纬向带主要成型于燕山期的板内经向挤压,以东西向叠加褶皱-花岗岩带为主要特征,活动至今。在此基础上,简要论述了主要构造体系复合控制区域成矿区带和分级控制矿集区、矿田、矿床特征以及燕山期岩浆成矿大爆发的核幔式扩展模式。论证了区内燕山期陆内活化造山具有以欧亚板块与太平洋板块近南北向相对左行扭动为主导的多向汇聚、多因复合的动力学特征。     

A review of the impacts of pumped hydro energy storage construction on subalpine and alpine biodiversity: lessons for the Snowy Mountains pumped hydro expansion project

ABSTRACT

The Australian government’s proposal to expand the Snowy Hydro Scheme to include a second pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) system, and support for feasibility studies for PHES in Tasmania, offer an opportunity to incorporate more intermittent renewable energy generation into the National Energy Market. However, the infrastructure construction required for PHES expansion may have negative effects for biodiversity in subalpine and alpine areas. To identify the potential effects of PHES on biodiversity in Kosciuszko National Park (KNP), this systematic literature review assesses: (i) the key environmental disturbances likely to arise from PHES construction; and (ii) the specific impacts of these construction processes on biodiversity in subalpine and alpine environments. We find that the effects of PHES construction-related disturbances are likely to be negative for subalpine and alpine biodiversity, with impacts including the proliferation of exotic flora, habitat loss resulting from vegetation clearing, altered landscape hydrology and reduced water quality. Management recommendations to limit these impacts are provided and further research is recommended to assess: (i) the effects of PHES on fish populations in alpine reservoirs; (ii) the utility of spoil as artificial habitat for endemic fauna; and (iii) the chemical and physical impacts of spoil dumping in alpine reservoirs.